How were the Appalachian Mountains formed? Are the barrier islands moving? This book provides answers to these and other questions. It is a guide to the geology of North Carolina and South Carolina. It explains techniques geologists use to ""read"" rocks, the science of plate tectonics, and the formation of the Carolinas.

This book pairs a brief geological history of the N.C./S.C. region with 31 field trips to easily accessible, often familiar sites in both states where readers can observe firsthand the evidence of geologic change found in rocks, river basins, mountains, waterfalls, and coastal land formations. Geologist Stewart and science writer Roberson begin by explaining techniques geologists use to "read" rocks, the science of plate tectonics, and the formation of the Carolinas. The field trips that follow are arranged geographically by region, from the Blue Ridge to the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain.